Labor's Smith to the Obama Administration

State Dept. of Labor Commissioner Patricia Smith is headed for the Obama Administration where she’s been nominated as the federal DOL’s solicitor.

Smith drew praise from public employee unions, with CSEA’s Danny Donhue saying, “She was unique among labor commissioners in recognizing the hard work of her co-workers and their efforts from enforcing labor law to promoting health and safety and assisting the unemployed.”

Christine L. Owens, Executive Director, National Employment Law Project, said tapping Smith was “an inspired choice,” by the Obama administration.

Smith was a Spitzer appointee who came from labor from the AG’s office where was Chief of the Labor Bureau.